Inside Indiana Business: ND project progresses

Work has begun on the second phase of a $90 million joint effort between the University of Notre Dame and Indianapolis-based Kite Realty.

The university says Phase II of the Eddy Street Commons mixed-use development is slated to be complete by mid-2020. The project features 8,500 square feet of restaurant space, 17 “flex” units, 433 apartment units, 22 single-family homes, a new Robinson Community Learning Center and a stand-alone grocery store.

IU prof says tax bill good for business

A professor of finance with the Indiana University Kelley School of Business in Indianapolis believes a major tax overhaul that was approved by Congress and signed by the president will be good for Hoosier businesses "across the board."

Steve Jones says benefits for small business owners that have been added through the legislative process, would alleviate "somewhat of a concern" in earlier versions. The changes, he says, are focused on making the country more globally competitive.

Investment aims to transform Wabash region

The board chair of the newly launched Wabash Heartland Innovation Network said a nearly $40 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. offers a "once in a lifetime" opportunity for the 10-county region.

The funds are designed to help the region parlay strengths in agriculture, manufacturing and technical training through Purdue University and Ivy Tech Community College into what Gary Henriott says could be a globally-recognized hub for Internet of Things innovation.

Henriott said the high-tech focus will have ripple effects for years to come.

Honda's Greensburg plant to add model

Honda will debut its newest Indiana-built model Jan. 15 at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

American Honda Motor Co. Inc. said the Honda Insight was introduced in 1999 as the country's first hybrid vehicle. It will be produced by Honda Manufacturing of Indiana in Greensburg, along with the Civic sedan and the CR-V.

Unemployment drops in November

Indiana's unemployment rate decreased to 3.7 percent in November, down from 3.9 percent the previous month. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development said that while the state lost 4,200 private sector jobs last month, the unemployment rate remains below the national average of 4.1 percent.

Sweetwater still growing, attracting talent

The founder of Fort Wayne-based Sweetwater said the company he started in his old VW Bus and now employs close to 1,300 is continuing on a growth trajectory.

During a special edition of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick focusing on the state's second-largest city, Chuck Surack discussed the steps the music industry supplier and producer has taken to attract and retain talent.

The 400,000 square-foot campus has been described as Google-like and includes onsite salon and exercise facilities, a cafe and a slide connecting floors.

Demolition of former Reid Hospital to begin

City and county officials are celebrating the pending demolition of the former Reid Hospital campus in Richmond. Mayor Dave Snow said Reid Health has pledged an additional $1 million toward the project, which contractors say will begin immediately.

Noblesville severs ties with museum

The Noblesville Parks Board said it will not renew its lease with Nickel Plate rail line operator Indiana Transportation Museum Inc. Its contract ends in March and ITM will be required to turn the premises back over to the city.

ITM, which has operated the route and trains since the early 1960s, has been the focus of several state investigations and a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency inspection for environmental issues at its Noblesville site.

In a statement, ITM President John McNichols said news of the city board's decision came via email Wednesday morning and that the organization is "profoundly disappointed but not surprised."

IoT lab progressing in Fishers

The Indiana IoT Lab in Fishers will hold its grand opening in the first quarter of next year. The lab, unveiled in February, is located in the city's state-certified tech park, which includes the Nickel Plate District — home of Launch Fishers — and North East Commerce Park.

Launch Fishers founder John Wechsler said it will be home to "in-resident" companies, innovation teams from larger corporations and "backpack-and-an-idea" entrepreneurs.

School launches manufacturing company

Officials at Perry Central Junior-Senior High School in Leopold are celebrating the opening of a new student-led manufacturing company.

The school announced that Commodore Manufacturing will provide "opportunities for students to gain valuable skills in the advanced manufacturing field."

Zimmer Biomet names CEO

The board of directors for Warsaw-based Zimmer Biomet Holdings has appointed Bryan Hanson president and chief executive officer. Hanson, who also joins the company's board, succeeds David Dvorak, who stepped down in July.

ISU unveils $64M project

Indiana State University has cut the ribbon on its $64 million Health and Human Services facility, the largest state-funded project in school history. The university has also announced it is transitioning the existing University Honors Program to an Honors College.

Outgoing ISU president discusses transition

With two weeks until Indiana State University transitions to its 12th president, current President Dan Bradley said his successor is poised to "hit the ground running."

Deborah Curtis, confirmed last month by the Board of Trustees, will return to her alma mater during a period of growth and significant changes to the appearance and footprint of the Terre Haute institution.

Bradley said some $300 million has been invested into facilities and housing over the last nine years, changing the "look and feel" of the campus. Bradley said a significant portion of the focus is connecting ISU and downtown Terre Haute.

Fishers lands $7M Auto tech center

An automotive supplier has announced plans to invest $7 million into a new technology center in Fishers.

Thyssenkrupp Presta North America said the location will result in up to 64 new jobs over the next two years. Current engineering operations in Indianapolis, which include 86 employees, are expected to relocate to the Hamilton County facility by the spring.

In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Mayor Scott Fadness discussed the factors that helped Fishers attract the company.

CEO: River Ridge continues to be big

The chief executive officer of One Southern Indiana said industrial growth at the River Ridge Commerce Center is triggering retail and commercial growth around the 6,000-acre park.

Wendy Dant Chesser adds that leaders in communities like Jeffersonville, New Albany, Clarksville and Charlestown are taking steps to assess and improve quality-of-place in their respective downtowns.

Fort Wayne joins opioid fight

The city of Fort Wayne is the latest Indiana community to take legal action in the wake of the opioid epidemic. Mayor Tom Henry announced Monday the city will file a public nuisance lawsuit against the three largest wholesale opioid distributors in the country.

Nix Metals to acquire Rockport company

Poseyville-based Nix Metals has announced plans to acquire Superior Fabrication Inc. in Rockport. Financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed, however the company expects the deal to close by the end of the month.

Northeast Indiana important 'test case'

The chief executive officer of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership says continued progress at the massive Electric Works project at the old General Electric campus in Fort Wayne demonstrates the power of public-private partnership.

The Allen County Capital Improvement Board and the Allen County Commissioners have just approved a combined $3 million in loans for the project, further backing John Sampson's assertion that the area is a "test case" for private investment following public buy-in.

Anthem completes HealthSun acquisition

Indianapolis-based Anthem has completed its acquisition of Florida-based Medicare Advantage health plan provider HealthSun. The company is not providing financial details of the deal, but said its affiliated Medicare and Medicaid plans will now serve more than 650,000 customers in Florida.

Chamber calls for Congress to stop 'HIT'

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is urging Congress to take action on a measure it says would be a "detriment to employers."

Vice President of Federal Affairs Caryl Auslander said a provision of the Affordable Care Act is slated to kick in at the beginning of the year and could cost some business owners throughout the state an estimated $500 a year per employee.

The Health Insurance Providers Fee, also known as the Health Insurance Tax or HIT, has been on a two-year moratorium and is designed to help cover federal costs associated with the ACA.

St. Joe Rector hopes for pathway to re-emerge

The rector of Saint Joseph's College in Rensselaer has discussed key milestones he is aiming for the suspended institution to reach in the new year. In an open letter on Facebook, Barry Fischer said he hopes 2018 will include a bank settlement on SJC's debt and a pathway for the school to re-emerge.

Marion, IWU partnership launches city website

The city of Marion has launched a new website after an 18-month design process with Marion Design Co. and Indiana Wesleyan University. The city said the new site will allow officials to update content without using a third party and will be easier to use.

Lilly endowment details $20M for religious grants

Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment has announced $20 million in grants. The 24 Thriving in Ministry Initiative recipients include seminaries, universities and a retreat center. Two institutions in Indiana landed grants: Sisters of St. Benedict of Beech Grove and the University of Notre Dame.

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